The Ultimate Guide to Collagen Supplements: Benefits, Types, and More
Feb 15, 2024
Collagen supplements have gained widespread popularity for their numerous health benefits, ranging from promoting skin elasticity and joint health to supporting muscle recovery and bone strength.
Let’s discuss what collagen is, its benefits, the types of collagen supplements, and recommendations for top-quality products.
What Are Collagen Supplements?
Collagen is the most prevalent protein in your body, accounting for about 30% of your body’s protein. It’s a primary building block for your bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, skin, and other connective tissues. It can also be found in your blood vessels, organs, and intestinal lining.
The main role of collagen in your body is to provide support, strength, and structure.
It plays a role in:
- Helping fibroblasts form in your dermis, helping new cells to grow
- Replacing dead skin cells
- Providing a protective covering for organs
- Helping your blood to clot
- Giving strength, structure, and elasticity to your skin
Collagen can decrease in your body for a number of reasons, including aging.
Look for these signs of decreasing collagen levels:
- Hallowing in and around your eyes and face
- Stiffer, less flexible tendons and ligaments
- Skin that’s wrinkled, crepey, or sagging
- Shrinking, weakening muscles and muscle aches
- Joint pain or osteoarthritis due to worn cartilage
- Loss of mobility due to joint damage and stiffness
- Gastrointestinal problems due to the thinning of the lining of your digestive tract
- Problems with blood flow
If you find that your collagen is decreasing or you are interested in its benefits, then collagen supplements could be the perfect solution for you. They come in powder, liquids, and pills to ingest and increase your collagen production.
Powder, Pills, or Liquid: Which Collagen Supplement is Best?
Collagen Powder
Many people find that collagen powder is one of the easier methods of ingesting collagen. Instead of swallowing several capsules, you can just add collagen powder to your drinks or food.
Collagen Liquid
Collagen supplements can also be purchased as premade drinks or packets of collagen to put in your drink. There’s a variety of flavors and types to choose from, along with other added beneficial ingredients.
Collagen Pills
Collagen pills are the most straightforward way of ingesting collagen. Like collagen liquid, these tend to have other advantageous ingredients that can provide extra benefits.
Animal vs. Marine Collagen: Understanding the Difference
Animal Collagen
Animal collagen is sourced from land creatures. Bovine collagen, the most common form of animal collagen, originates from beef and cowhides. Following the utilization of beef for food purposes, collagen is derived from the cowhides.
Marine Collagen
Marine collagen refers to the collagen sourced from the skin and scales of fish. In the process of fish farming and food processing, residual parts such as bones, scales, and skin undergo meticulous cleaning. Then, collagen is carefully extracted from these parts, with fish oil being removed beforehand to prevent any undesirable fishy taste or odor.
Collagen Supplement Benefits
Improving Skin Health: Elasticity and Hydration
Research indicates that collagen supplements can enhance skin hydration and elasticity among aging individuals. Additionally, they may contribute to reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Supporting Bone and Muscle Strength
With aging, bones tend to lose density and become more fragile, making them prone to fractures and slower healing times. The regular intake of collagen supplements may promote denser bones, mitigating age-related brittleness and facilitating the production of new bone tissue.
Collagen supplements are also believed to aid muscle recovery and boost muscle growth.
Enhancing Hair and Nail Growth
Both men and women experience hair loss or thinning as they age. Collagen supplements can potentially increase hair's quantity, scalp coverage, and thickness.
Collagen for Joint Health
In individuals dealing with knee osteoarthritis, collagen supplements could potentially serve as a gentle pain reliever and enhance joint functionality.
Collagen Supplements in Diet and Lifestyle
Incorporating Collagen into Your Daily Routine
Collagen can be integrated into your diet through meals or as a snack. All you need to do is add supplements either in your drink or your food.
Glaxon Wonder Collagen is a great option for a nutritious addition to your diet.
Collagen Supplements Pre or Post-Workout
Incorporating collagen supplements into your workout routine can maximize muscle recovery.
Explore products like Collagen Plus Biotin & Vitamin C for fitness-focused benefits.
The Science Behind Collagen Supplements
With a structure resembling fibers, collagen is crucial for forming connective tissues that link different parts of the body. These tissues, found in bone, muscles, tendons, skin, and cartilage, rely on collagen to provide strength, resilience, and elasticity, reinforcing the body's structural integrity.
Because collagen is difficult for your body to absorb as a whole, it is typically broken down into collagen peptides. These fragments are derived from animal collagen and undergo hydrolysis, a process where collagen is broken down. As a result of hydrolysis, collagen becomes more bioavailable, enhancing the body's ability to absorb it effectively.
Lifestyle Factors Affecting Collagen Levels
Age and Environmental Factors
As we grow older, our body's natural collagen production diminishes, underscoring the significance of supplementation.
Diet and Nutrition
While a well-rounded diet can help maintain collagen levels, supplements provide a concentrated boost for additional support.
Choosing the Right Collagen Supplement
When you’re choosing the right collagen supplement for you, there are a couple of things to consider.
Which type do you want? While capsules offer ease and straightforwardness for some, others may find the flexibility of collagen powders appealing, as they can effortlessly mix into beverages and baked goods.
Consider the dosage, as well. There are no established guidelines for how much you should take, but studies show that 2.5-15g of collagen peptides per day is safe and effective.
Check the ingredients, too. Some products may contain additional ingredients like silica, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C.
Potential Collagen Supplement Side Effects
Collagen supplements typically boast a favorable safety profile and are generally free from adverse side effects.
The only reported minor side effects include:
- A sensation of heaviness in the stomach
- Skin rashes
- Mild episodes of diarrhea
FAQs About Collagen Supplements
What Are the Main Benefits of Taking Collagen Supplements?
Collagen supplements primarily boost skin health, bone strength, and joint functionality.
Are There Any Side Effects of Collagen Supplements?
Most people tolerate collagen well, but some may experience minor digestive issues.
How Long Does it Take for Collagen Supplements to Work?
Results can vary, but many report improvements within a few weeks of consistent use.
Where Do Collagen Supplements Come From?
Collagen supplements come from either animal or marine sources.
When is the Best Time to Take Collagen Supplements?
The best time to take collagen supplements is during meals, or pre or post-workout.
What Are the Best Collagen Supplements?
- Allmax Collagen Plus Biotin & Vitamin C
- Glaxon Wonder Collagen
- PEScience Collagen
- Transparent Labs Collagen Hydrolysate
- EHP Labs Aqua Collagen
- Revive Collagen
- MuscleSport Collagen Peptides
- Glaxon Collagen
- EHP Labs Oxysleep Collagen
- Bucked Up Babe Collagen
Shop Top Quality Products At Nutrition Faktory
Discover the ideal collagen supplements tailored to enhance muscle mass, revitalize skin, and ease joint pain. Whether you prefer powders or ready-to-use supplements, Nutrition Faktory has the perfect options for any preference. Check out our lineup of Collagen Supplements, here.
